In our bathrooms, we spray toilet cleaners, air fresheners and a ridiculous number of "beauty" products. Ironically, in the very room where our intent is to clean ourselves on a daily basis, we're applying toxic chemicals directly to our faces and bodies.

These chemicals include calcium carbonate, aluminum distearate and sodium hypochlorite. And in our garages — virtual cesspits of contaminants — we store antifreeze, paint, motor oil and gasoline. When we shakily pour these virulent chemicals into other receptacles, we can't help but spill them onto the ground and into the air.

What can we do to reduce the mixing of these corrosive chemicals in our homes? We can use them sparingly, we can make sure they are completely wiped up and we can take great care not to use them around food, people or animals.

But better yet, we can use biodegradable substances to clean our households and bodies — like wiping a dirty window with vinegar, polishing a wood floor with olive oil and brushing our teeth with baking soda.

These and other natural cleaners can be found at http://bit.ly/10fVCQl